Wojciech Kilar created a sensation some years ago with his exciting dance-like orchestral piece "Krzesany" and other works including the film score for Francis Ford Coppola’s "Bram Stoker’s Dracula". His scores often express through rhythmic repetition, a minimalism that differs from the American minimalists possibly because of the reminiscences of European music of the past. The piano concerto contains strong hints of the romantics, particularly Beethoven and Brahms viewed through a prism of cubist sectional abstractions. The mood ranges from bold to serene much like a romantic piano concerto but without the direct stylistic trappings. Melodic turns of phrase and gestures of Polish folk music also play role in his works and Kilar sometimes psychologically shocks his audience not only with a dramatic use of dissonance but also by suddenly embracing major/minor tonality and triadic harmonies. - Greg La Traille, ArkivMusic.com
